Lam mounting for looms



Jan. 4, 1949. E. E. GILMORE LAM MOUNTING FOR LOOMS Filed Dec 7, 1946 v INVENTOR. E. E G'z' [m ore Mil will ,L/L O L3-za Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- LAM MOUNTING FOR LOOMS Edward E. Gilmore, Stockton, Calif.,

Application December 7, 1946, Serial No. 714,881

This invention relates in general to improvements in loom harness operating mechanism, and in particular is directed to an improvement of the lam mounting arrangement shown in my United States Patent N 0. 2,250,061, dated July 22, 1941.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel lam mounting arrangement designed to function easily and smoothly whereby to prevent unnecessary exertion and tiring of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lam mounting arrangement wherein the lams are not pivoted at the ends as in the previous patent and are free at said ends so that either end may lower; one end lowering upon depression of a treadle on the corresponding side of the central suspension chains, while the other end lowers upon depression of a treadle on the opposite side of said chains. With such arrangement an advantageous leverage is obtained on every lam when the corresponding treadle is depressed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide novel guides, and cushion stops, for the swingably mounted lams; the cushion stops being engaged from below by opposite end portions of the lams and each such stop forming a fulcrum for the adjacent end of each lam as the latter is swung downward at its opposite end.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive lam mounting for looms, and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a loom harness operating mechanism embodying the present invention; said mechanism being shown partly in section.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the invention is incorporated in a loom harness operating mechanism which includes a plurality of horizontal harness frames I disposed in normally side by side relation and arranged for independent vertical motion; the ends of the harness frames I being carried in corresponding vertical grooves 2 of uprights 3 included in the loo frame.

Below the assembly of the harness frames 11 Claims. (01. 139-30) there are a pair of horizontal cross bars 4 con nected between the uprights 3 on opposite sides thereof. Substantially longitudinally alined pairs of normally horizontal jacks 5 are disposed in side by side relation between the horizontal cross bars 4 and in cooperative relation to corresponding onesof the harness frames I. The jacks 5 are rotatably mounted, intermediate their ends, on pivot pins 6 which extend between the horizontal cross bars 4. The jacks 5 are thus mounted for upward swinging motion from their normally horizontal positions whereby to raise the corresponding harness frames I. The pivots 6 are disposed relative to the ends of the jacks so that the latter tend to lower at their outer ends, and said jacks are prevented from swinging, at said outer ends, below horizontal by suitable blocks 1 cushioned on top, as at B. The stop blocks 1 are'fixed in connection with, and extend transversely below, the horizontal bars a.

Each pair of jacks 5 lap somewhat at their adjacent ends, and said lapped portions are provided with eyes 9, between which a chain loop ID connects, said chain loop being dependent and extending through an eye I I fixed on a corresponding one of the lams I2 of the loom centrally of the ends of such lam; there being a plurality of said lams I2 disposed in normally horizontal side by side relation corresponding to the jacks 5 and harness frames I. A flexible pull cord I3 depends from each lam downwardly to connec tion with a treadle I4 hinged on a bottom cross bar 15 of the loom. The flexible pull cords I3 are spaced apart crosswise of the loom in generally symmetrical relation, and thus attach to the lams I2 at correspondingly spaced points; some of which are to the right and some of which are to the left of the eyes I I.

To this point the loom harness operating mechanism is much the same as in the identified patent, but the lams I2 are mounted in a modifled manner, for more eiiective operation, as follows:

Each of the lams I2 is free at its ends for downward swinging motion but said ends normally abut, under the lifting action of the jacks 5, against cushions It on the bottom of stop blocks II projecting laterally inwardly from the uprights 3.

Between the cushioned stop blocks I1 and the chain connected eyes II, the lams extend in guided relation through guide units I8 mounted in connection with, and depending vertically from, the stop blocks 1. Each such guide unit includes a head I9, 2. foot 20, and a plurality of spaced guide rods 2| disposed in vertical side by side relation transversely of said lams l2.

With the above arrangement, it will be seen that upon depression of any one of the treadles 14 the lam is swung downwardly at the corresponding end relative to the eye H; such lam then bearing on the opposite end cushion It as a fulcrum. See Fig. 1 wherein a left-hand one of the treadles. is. depressed, causing downward swinging'movement or the connected lam at the left-hand end and fulcruming of its right-hand end about the engaged cushion ifi. Upon downward swinging of each lam l2, at one end or the other, the connected chain loop ii) swings theicorresponding pair of jacks downwardly at their inner ends and upwardly at their outerends to raise the engaged harness frame 1'.

With the above arrangement the lams 12 need no pivotal connection with the structure, as in theidentified patent, and are free to swing downward atieither end, depending upon: which treadleis depressed, Iii the present embodiment the vice, still intpracticesuch' deviations from such detail may be resorted tor as do notform a departure" from thevspirit of. the invention, as defined-by the appended claims.

Havingzthusdescribed the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and: uponwhich Letters? Patent are desired:

1 Selective operating mechanism for a plurality ofiparallel, independently vertically swingable, harness; frame actuating jack' units of a loom, saidzmechanism comprising, in. sets with:

the jaclt unitsgia'. lamrdisposed'. below each k unit, an; actuating: element connected: each'alam at a point intermediate its ends and" the: corresponding jacknnit'; each actuating ele-'- ment suspendingztheicorresponding lainfor downward" verticalswinging motion at either endfrom a. normally substantially horizontal position, a;

pull element depending from each" lam; and a treadle attached to the lower end of each" pull element.

2. Selective operating mechanismv for" aplurality of paralleLindependently vertically swingable; harness frame actuating jack units of a loom, said. mechanism. comprising, in sets with the jack units, a: lamwdisposed' below each jack unit, an actuating element connected between each lam: at a point intermediate" its ends and the correspondingrjack unit, each-actuating element suspending the corresponding" lam for downwardvertical swinging motion at either endfrom a normally substantially horizontal position, a pull? element depending from each lam, the-pull elements being disposed with: a number thereofon' OP'DOSlllQf-SldBS'. of. corresponding actuating. elements, and a. treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element.

3. Selective operating mechanism fora plurality ofi parallelpindependently vertically swingable}. harnessframe actuating jack units of a loom,; saidv mechanism comprising, in: sets, with thenjjacK-units; aslam disposed below each; jack unit, an actuating; element. connected between eaclr lam at. a point intermediateits ends. and

the

the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward vertical swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially horizontal position, a pull element depending from each lam, the pull elements being disposed with a number thereof on opposite sides of corresponding actuating elements, a, treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element, the jack, units tending to lift the corresponding elements, andstops disposed above opposite end portions of each lam to limit lifting thereof.

4. Selective operating mechanism for a pluralityof parallel, independently vertically swingable, harness frame actuating jack units of a loom, said mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, an actuating element connected between each-lam at a point intermediate its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward vertical swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially'horizontal position, a pull element depending from each lam, the pull elements being disposed with a number thereof on opposite sides of corresponding actuating elements, a treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element, the jack units tending; to lift the corresponding elements, and stops disposed above opposite end portions of each lam to limit lifting thereof, each stop having a lam engaging cushion thereon. l

5. Selective operating mechanism for a. plurality of parallel, independently vertically swingable, harness frame actuating jack units .of a loom, said mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, an actuating element connected between each lam at a point intermediate its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward vertical swinging motion at either end from anormally substantially horizontal position, vertical guide units through which the lams extendadjacent their'opposite end portions, a pull element depending from each lam, the pull elements. being disposed with a number thereof on opposite sides of corresponding actuating elements, and a treadle attached to the lower end of each'pull element.

6. Selective operating mechanism for a plurality of parallel,- independently vertically swingable, harness frame actuating jack units of a loom, said mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, an actuating element connected between each 1am at a point intermediate its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding 1am for downward vertical swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially horizontal position, vertical guide units through which the lams extend: adjacent their opposite end portions, a pull element depending from each 1am, the pullelements being disposed with a number thereof on opposite sides of corresponding actuating elements, and. a treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element; each vertical guide unit including a head, a foot, and a plurality of vertical guide rods connected therebetween in spaced relation in a: plane transversely of the lams.

'7. Selective operating. mechanism for a: plurality of parallel, independently vertically swings able, harness frame actuating jack units oi a. loom, said: mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, an actuating element connected between each lam at a point intermediate its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward vertical swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially horizontal position, a pull element depending from each lam, and a treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element; said actuating elements being flexible.

if 8. Selective operating mechanism for a plurality of parallel, independently vertically swingable, harness frame actuating jack units of a loom, said mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, an actuating element; connected between each lam at a point intermediate its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward vertical swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially horizontal position, a pull element depending from each lam, and a treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element; said actuating elements being chains, and an eye on each lam to which the corresponding chain is attached.

9. Selective operating mechanism for a plurality of parallel, independently vertically swingable, harness frame actuating jack units of a loom, the loom having spaced uprights between which the jack units extend lengthwise, said mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, a flexible actuating element connected between each lane at a point centrally of its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially horizontal position, the jack units tending to lift corresponding lams, cushioned stops on the uprights above the ends of the lams limiting lifting motion of the latter, a pull element depending from each lam, the pull elements being disposed with a number thereof on opposite sides of corresponding actuating elements, and a treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element.

10. Selective operating mechanism for a plurality of parallel, independently vertically swingable, harness frame actuating jack units of a loom, the loom having spaced uprights between which the jack units extend lengthwise, said mechanism comprising, in sets with the jack units, a lam disposed below each jack unit, a flexible actuating element connected between each lam at a point centrally of its ends and the corresponding jack unit, each actuating element suspending the corresponding lam for downward swinging motion at either end from a normally substantially horizontal position, the jack units tending to lift corresponding lams, cushioned stops on the uprights above the ends of the lams limiting lifting motion of the latter, a pull element depending from each lam, the pull elements being disposed with a number thereof on opposite sides of corresponding actuating elements, and a treadle attached to the lower end of each pull element; there being vertical guide units through which the lams extend adjacent but short of their opposite end portions.

11. A structure as in claim 10 including a cross bar connecting the uprights; the guide units being suspended from the cross bar and each including a head, a foot, and a plurality of vertical guide rods connected therebetween in spaced relation in a plane transversely of the lams.

EDWARD E. GILMORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,911,822 Gilmore May 30, 1933 2,250,061 Gilmore July 22, 1941 

